Could Peace Between Israel and Lebanon Really Happen? with Hanin Ghaddar and Nadine Epstein

As rapid change transforms the Middle East, is peace between Lebanon and Israel finally within reach? Hanin Ghaddar, senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, discusses the surprising emergence of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, and how shifting public sentiment, pressure on Hezbollah, and growing international involvement is opening a narrow window for change. But is Lebanon’s weak government capable of the strong leadership and decisive action necessary to take advantage of this moment? In conversation with Moment Editor-in-Chief Nadine Epstein.

Hanin Ghaddar is the Friedmann Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute’s Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics, where she focuses on Shia politics throughout the Levant. The longtime managing editor of Lebanon’s NOW news website, Ghaddar shed light on a broad range of cutting-edge issues, from the evolution of Hezbollah inside Lebanon’s fractured political system to Iran’s growing influence throughout the Middle East. In addition, she has contributed to a number of U.S.-based magazines and newspapers, including the New York Times and Foreign Policy. Prior to joining NOW in 2007, Ghaddar wrote for the Lebanese newspapers As-Safir, An-Nahar, and Al-Hayat and also worked as a researcher for the United Nations Development Program regional office. A native of Al-Ghazieh, Lebanon, Ghaddar holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a master’s degree in Middle East studies, both from the American University of Beirut.